Equestrian event in India downgraded

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 5

In yet another setback to the embattled Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), the international governing body, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), has declined its request regarding hosting a qualifying event later this month. FEI has asked EFI to downgrade its scheduled event in Bengaluru from a CCI2* level competition “to a national meet or a CCI1*”.

The decision was based on a report filed by FEI’s international jury, which raised concerns over inadequate level of preparation of the athletes.

Catrin Norinder, FEI’s Director for Eventing and Olympic, made it very clear that standards were very low when it came to Indian riders and horses. “Regretfully and further to the results of the New Delhi event, as explained in the below email trail, we are not able to propose any other option,” Norinder wrote.

Norinder was also alarmed that EFI did not have the Minimum Eligibility Requirement standards for riders, which is an established standard before they participate in a Level 2 competition. EFI secretary Col Jaiveer Singh and joint secretary Lt Col MM Rahman were unavailable for comments.